Xeon E-2104G vs Xeon E5-1620

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Xeon E-2104G vs Xeon E5-1620 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Xeon E-2104G vs Xeon E5-1620: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Xeon E-2104G

2018

Why buy it

✅+0.2% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $692 less on MSRP ($193 MSRP vs $885 MSRP).
✅Delivers 359.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 30.4 vs 6.6 PassMark/$ ($193 MSRP vs $885 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 130W, a 65W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-1620 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 10 MB).

Xeon E5-1620

2012

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +19.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+25% larger total L3 cache (10 MB vs 8 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (5,848 vs 5,858).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 6.6 vs 30.4 PassMark/$ ($885 MSRP vs $193 MSRP).
❌100% higher power demand at 130W vs 65W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E-2104G better than Xeon E5-1620?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon E5-1620 is ahead with a 19.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E-2104G pulls ahead with 0.2% better PassMark. Xeon E5-1620 also has the bigger cache pool with 25% larger total L3 cache (10 MB vs 8 MB).

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E-2104G is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Xeon E-2104G is the better buy right now. Xeon E-2104G comes in $692 cheaper on MSRP at $193 MSRP versus $885 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.2% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon E5-1620 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 19.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 359.3% better value on MSRP (30.4 vs 6.6 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Xeon E-2104G makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2012) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Xeon E-2104G vs Xeon E5-1620 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Xeon E-2104G

The Xeon E-2104G is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 12 July 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-S WS (2018−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 5,858 points. Launch price was $193.

Xeon E5-1620

The Xeon E5-1620 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 6 March 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 10240 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,848 points. Launch price was $313.

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Processing Power

The Xeon E-2104G packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Xeon E5-1620's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Xeon E-2104G versus 3.8 GHz on the Xeon E5-1620 — a 17.1% clock advantage for the Xeon E5-1620 (base: 3.2 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Xeon E-2104G uses the Coffee Lake-S WS (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-1620 uses Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E-2104G scores 5,858 against the Xeon E5-1620's 5,848 — a 0.2% lead for the Xeon E-2104G. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Xeon E-2104G vs 10240 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-1620.

Feature	Xeon E-2104G	Xeon E5-1620
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.2 GHz	3.8 GHz+19%
Base Clock	3.2 GHz	3.6 GHz+12%
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	10240 kB (total)+25%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake-S WS (2018−2019)	Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013)
PassMark	5,858	5,848
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	3,469
Geekbench 6 Single	—	612
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	2,250

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E-2104G uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-1620 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Xeon E-2104G	Xeon E5-1620
Socket	LGA1151	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity	—	375 GB
RAM Channels	—	4
ECC Support	—	Yes
PCIe Lanes	—	40

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Xeon E-2104G) / true (Xeon E5-1620).

Feature	Xeon E-2104G	Xeon E5-1620
Integrated GPU	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	true

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Xeon E-2104G was priced at $193, while the Xeon E5-1620 came in at $885. On launch pricing ($193 vs $885), Xeon E-2104G was $692 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E-2104G delivers 30.4 pts/$ vs 6.6 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-1620 — making the Xeon E-2104G the 128.5% better value option.

Feature	Xeon E-2104G	Xeon E5-1620
MSRP	$193-78%	$885
Performance per Dollar	30.4+361%	6.6
Release Date	2018	2012

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